A best-of-both-worlds solution to the longstanding and debilitating space crunch at the Peterborough Police Service’s downtown headquarters was revealed on Friday afternoon (December 15).

The City of Peterborough will purchase the 13.3-acre property at 1421 Lansdowne Street West that was home to the former Johnson & Johnson medical products facility, clearing the way for a portion of the 106,000-square-foot building to be home to police administrative offices.

Meanwhile, the existing facility at 500 Water Street (at McDonnel Street) will house police operations including investigations, maintaining a police presence in the downtown core.

The city is buying the property from Calvary Pentecostal Church for $15 million, with the transaction expected to close in February 2024.

As part of the sale agreement, the church will use a portion of the building for up to five years.

According to a city media release, renovations to the building are expected to take place “over the next few years,” with estimates of renovation costs subject to city council budget approvals.

“With the City of Peterborough purchase of this property, the Peterborough Police Service will have two locations,” said Chief Stuart Betts, adding “This is important as the city is growing and will continue to grow.”

“It is also the most fiscally responsible solution and is intended to meet the needs of the police service for decades. It’s expected that the costs of the renovations will be significantly less than the cost of a new-build facility. Securing this property and being respectful of financial constraints was important to me and the police services board.”

Mayor Jeff Leal echoed that sentiment, noting the cost to construct of a new facility from scratch was estimated at $68 million in 2017.

“The property and construction costs would be much higher today,” said Mayor Leal. “With the former Johnson & Johnson property acquisition, we’re able to maintain the downtown police station on Water Street for police operations, add a second police facility for administrative and support services, and have additional land and building space for other municipal needs.”

“Even with the future renovation costs, this is the most financially responsible path, addressing a critical need,” Mayor Leal added.

As part of a police facility review process, the joint police-City committee engaged a consultant Shoalts and Zaback to identify downtown locations that could accommodate a single, purpose-built police facility.

However, the release notes “none of the identified sites were available.” In addition, “the cost to acquire them and demolish existing infrastructures to build a new facility was unacceptable.”

As first reported by kawarthaNOW in early October, former Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) executive director Terry Guiel called out the city and police service for a lack of transparency, urging that the consultants’ report being made public — something that is yet to happen.

Crediting sources close to the facility review committee, Guiel said the site chosen for a new facility was the Johnson and Johnson property, while also claiming the downtown police station would close as a result.

That drew a strong rebuke from Chief Betts who, in an email to kawarthaNOW, wrote that “a new facilities model is being explored and, at the heart of that new model, is maintaining our operational presence downtown.”

As things have turned out, both Guiel and Chief Betts have been proven correct: police will have a new facility at the former Johnson & Johnson property, but they will also continue to operate out of their current location.

“I strongly believe the presence of a police facility in the downtown area is a must,” Chief Betts said on Friday. “There is no intention to leave the 500 Water Street location. The current location at 500 Water Street will continue to be the base of operations and investigations.”

Meanwhile, Calvary Pentecostal Church pastor Michelle Mercer says the church’s use of part of the building for up to five years after the purchase is finalized buys time to plan for its next steps.

“We look forward to bright days ahead for Calvary (Pentecostal) Church and those overseeing the development of the city we are called to serve,” said Pastor Mercer, adding negotiation with the city and the police service has been “a very positive experience.”

From raising awareness about the declining population of monarch butterflies to conserving and enhancing the local watershed, environmental innovation is alive in Peterborough.

These are but two examples of local environmental innovations that were recognized and supported last year by the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF).

With a goal to keep building momentum towards a “green revolution,” the initiative’s partners — the Rotary Club of Peterborough, the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, and Cleantech Commons at Trent University — have announced 2024 funding applications for REIF are officially open, offering financial support for the region’s environmental innovators.

REIF encourages people to get involved in local environmental endeavours and projects. In its inaugural year, three environmental innovators (Carlotta James of Monarch Ultra, Craig Onafrychuk of Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance, and environmentalist Dylan Radcliffe) each received a $3,000 award, with Christa Plumley of Ava & Ziva and Zachary McCue of REPWR each receiving a $300 award.

According to a news release, the second year of REIF “is poised to make an even more profound impact in 2024,” with another five local environmental innovators receiving funding of up to $3,000 to bring their vision to life.

“REIF surpassed our expectations in its first year, and we are thrilled to build on that success in 2024,” REIF committee chair Graham Wilkins said in the release. “The overwhelming support from the community and the interest it has generated across Ontario truly underscores the commitment to environmental innovation.”

People actively working on environmental innovations are encouraged to submit their applications for funding on the REIF website at rotaryenvironmentalchampions.ca/innovators-application/. The deadline for applications is March 6, 2024.

The possibilities for projects are expansive, REIF committee member Catherine Legault told kawarthaNOW.

“REIF’s scope encompasses diverse endeavours, welcoming individuals, start-ups, and small companies engaged in projects that address many environmental concerns,” Legault said.

“The fund’s target zone is expansive, covering areas such as biodiversity, water and wastewater technologies, sustainable food systems, climate change mitigation, pollution control, food sustainability, waste and textile management, power generation, transportation, agriculture, and cleantech innovations, among others.”

“Ultimately, REIF stands committed to supporting unique entrepreneurial ventures with the potential to impact the Peterborough-Kawartha region positively. The fund seeks to empower and enable projects that contribute to the broader environmental sustainability goals by fostering a dynamic and inclusive approach,” Legault said.

One of the distinctive features of REIF is its commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders, according to the release. This year, REIF will provide $225 in funding to the environmental section winners of the Peterborough Junior Science Fair.

Martin Yuill, Cleantech Commons executive director, emphasized the opportunities REIF unlocks for local entrepreneurs.

“Our partnership with REIF is all about forging pathways for skilled youth, talented graduates, and the innovators and entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow to start and grow their own ventures, creating employment opportunities, nurturing positive societal impact, and contributing to the burgeoning environmental sector in the Peterborough region,” Yuill said in the release.

The 2024 awards event is slated for April 19, 2024, at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer.

Individuals and corporations can support REIF by making a financial contribution through the REIF website. Support is recognized in three tiers: $100 (individual champion), $200 (corporate champion), and $500 or more (visionary champion).

For more information about REIF, or to submit an application or donate, visit rotaryenvironmentalchampions.ca.

Brian Ostrander is now at the helm of Northumberland County council, “eager to build upon the foundation laid by our outgoing warden.”

Ostrander, former deputy warden and current mayor of the Municipality of Brighton, was chosen as Northumberland County warden for 2024 during the meeting of Northumberland County council in Cobourg on Wednesday (December 13).

County councillor Olena Hankivsky, mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope, was chosen for the role of deputy warden.

County councillor Bob Crate, Mayor of the Municipality of Trent Hills, put forth one of the nominations in support of Ostrander as warden.

“I have a lot of respect for Brian,” Crate said during the meeting.

“We’ve worked together now for half a dozen years at least and I find him to be well-studied for what we are working on. I believe he has the best interests of all of Northumberland County when he comes forward with ideas and presentations. I believe he will make an excellent warden.”

Cramahe Township Mayor Mandy Martin is the outgoing warden and Ostrander served in 2023 as deputy warden.

“It is an honour to step into the role of warden for Northumberland County,” Ostrander said.

“I am eager to build upon the foundation laid by our outgoing warden Mandy Martin, and the collaborative efforts of our council, staff, and community,” Ostrander stated in a news release. “Together, we will continue to navigate challenges, foster innovation, and ensure Northumberland remains a thriving and connected community.”

The county described Ostrander as “a dedicated advocate for the residents in his community” and someone who works collaboratively with leaders from across Northumberland County.

“As a leader, collaborator, and advocate, he will make significant contributions to the development and well-being of the communities of Northumberland,” Northumberland County noted in the release.

For her part, Hankivsky said she was “humbled” to be chosen to serve as deputy warden.

“I am deeply honoured

“I look forward to contributing, through this role, to the prosperity and well-being of our county,” Hankivsky stated in a news release. “With a focus on transparency, inclusivity, and engagement, I know this council will continue to build a future that reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of all Northumberland residents.”

The roles of warden and deputy warden for Northumberland County are one-year terms, each filled by one of the seven members of county council.

More information about the members of Northumberland County council is available on the county’s website at northumberland.ca.

A 21-year-old man is dead and a 22-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries after a head-on crash early Thursday morning (December 14) on Highway 7 east of Omemee.

At around 7:40 a.m. on Thursday, Kawartha Lakes Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and emergency services responded to the scene of a head-on collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Highway 7 and Emily Park Road.

The driver of one of the vehicles, a 21-year-old Manilla man, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in the vehicle, a 22-year-old Sunderland man, was airlifted to a Toronto-area trauma centre with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 44-year-old Oshawa man, was transported to a local area hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Highway 7 will be closed from Emily Park Road to Orange Corners Road until police finish investigating and documenting the scene.

Residents of one in five households in Peterborough are struggling to put food on the table, a recent report shows.

Peterborough Public Health is sounding the alarm about rising food insecurity in the region in light of the 2023 Addressing Food Insecurity in Peterborough report that shows nearly one in five residents of Peterborough city and county are worrying about running out of money for food.

Lauren Kennedy, registered dietitian at Peterborough Public Health, said the findings are “very concerning and it’s a very urgent problem.”

“This is an issue of dignity, and it’s also an issue of health — mental health and physical health,” she told kawarthaNOW. “We’ve seen across Ontario and Canada that the problem of food insecurity was already a problem, but it’s gotten worse between 2021 and 2022.”

The 2023 Addressing Food Insecurity in Peterborough report reveals that inadequate incomes are resulting in the highest rates of food insecurity our region has ever seen.

“It is no secret that the cost of food has gone up,” Kennedy stated in a news release. “Many people are really struggling to afford food, a basic human need. No one should have to choose between shelter or food.”

Although food prices have increased dramatically over the past year, insufficient income remains the key issue behind rising food insecurity, the health unit noted.

Joan DiFruscia, Peterborough Food Action Network member and chair of the Otonabee-South Monaghan Food Cupboard, has supported emergency food programs for more than 40 years.

“Food banks work hard to serve community members in need. But they are meant to be a temporary fix, not the solution,” DiFruscia said in the release. “They do not address the root cause of food insecurity. Systemic change is urgently needed, and increasing income is key.”

The health unit said it encourages residents to speak up about the need for more money to buy food.

“Raising incomes is the only way to prevent food insecurity,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, medical officer of health, in the release. “Now is the time to stand up for more money for food.”

Households facing food insecurity may worry about running out of food before there is money to buy more, not be able to afford balanced or nutritious meals, not be able to buy food that meets individual and cultural needs, and/or they may miss meals, eat less food than needed, or even go days without food, the report noted.

About 19 per cent of local households faced food insecurity between 2020-2022 in Peterborough county and city. The 19 per cent figure is a three-year average from the Canadian Income Survey (CIS) that needs to be interpreted with caution due to a small sample size and variability in the sample, the report stated.

“Food insecurity numbers may be underestimated as CIS samples do not include unhoused individuals or Indigenous peoples living on-reserve.”

The 2023 Addressing Food Insecurity in Peterborough report is available on the health unit’s website.